Community Development CommissionAug. 13, 2024

Item 4 CDC CSBG Report August 2024 — original pdf

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Community Services Block Grant 2024 Contract Programmatic/Financial Report August 13, 2024 The Community Services Block Grant funds the delivery of services to low income Texas residents in all 254 counties. These funds support a variety of direct services in addition to helping maintain the core administrative elements of community action agencies. For the City of Austin, the grant provides funding for the delivery of basic needs, case management, preventive health and employment support services through the City’s six (6) Neighborhood Centers and the two (2) Outreach Sites. Mission: The Neighborhood Services Unit improves the lives and health of people experiencing poverty by providing public health and social services and connecting residents of Austin and Travis County to community resources. ◼ Basic Needs (food, clothing, information and referral, notary services, transportation, car safety education and car seats, tax preparation, fans, Thanksgiving food baskets and other seasonal activities); ◼ Preventive Health (screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar including a1C, and cholesterol; pregnancy testing; health promotion presentations, coordination and participation in health fairs, immunizations, coordination of wellness activities, linkages to medical home providers and diabetes case management); ◼ Case Management (individual/family support counseling, advocacy, self-sufficiency case management, crisis intervention, linkages with employers, educational opportunities and training, and working with individuals on quality of life issues); ◼ Employment Support (intake, assessment and goal setting, job readiness training, job placement assistance, and job retention services) Expenditures Categories 2024 Contract Budget % of Total Cumulative Expenditures as of 6/30/24 Personnel Fringe Benefits Other Total $1,129,050.00 $166,527.33 $83,510.12 $250,037.45 22% 1 4 4E 5 5B 5D 4C 4I 5A 5JJ 7A 7B 7D 7N Transition Out of Poverty Goal Goal Achieved TOP Individuals who transitioned out of poverty 43 13 Success Rate% 30% Austin Public Health Report on PY24 Community Action Plan MISSION: To prevent disease, promote health, and protect the well-being of our community. TOP 5 NEEDS: Housing; Health; Employment; Basic Needs; Education Report Date June 2024 FNPI Outcome Description Target #Enrolled #Achieved Success Rate % Housing Households who avoided eviction Health and Social/Behavioral Development Individuals who demonstrated improved physical health and well being Individuals who improved skills related to the adult role of parents/caregivers 800 10 50 1,006 1,006 #Enrolled #Achieved 46 53 Success Rate % 190% 126% 72% SRV 3O Service Description Tax Preparation Programs Number Served 356 A Year Ago 19 36 317 122 690 33,151 1,006 122 57,018 97 1,218 10 775 1,553 Rent Payments Utility Payments Immunizations Food Distribution Case Management Eligibility Determinations Transportation Emergency Clothing 3A.1 Total number of volunteer hours donated to the Agency Programmatic/Administrative Updates 1. Neighborhood Services – We offer Basic Needs including Food Help, Emergency Rental assistance in collaboration with Catholic Charities of Central Texas, Utility Assistance, Self-Sufficiency Case Management services, Bus Passes, Health Screenings, Information & Referrals, and Seasonal Services* at our six Neighborhood Centers.** 2 *Child Safety Seats, Fans and Income Tax filing. ** The South Austin Neighborhood Center closed for major HVAC renovations at the end of May. It will reopen in January of 2025. 2. CDC Nomination/Selection Update – We are reviewing the process of amending the bylaws to create more efficiencies in the nomination/selection of CDC commissioners. The North Austin Nomination/Selection meeting was held on Thursday, July 18th. No interested individuals at meeting. Another Nomination/Selection meeting will be held on Thursday, September 19th at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center. 3. Fresh Foods For Families (FFFF) – The Neighborhood Centers in collaboration with the Central Texas Food Bank holds Fresh Food For Families events that provide free monthly distributions of fruits, vegetables and other fresh foods to low-income families. These distributions supplement existing grocery budgets with much-needed nutritious foods. We continue to experience increased demand for these services. 4. Home Delivery Program – In collaboration with the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) and Amazon, the NSU offer a home delivery food program. Eligible individuals (Travis County Residents, “Low Income,” Target Population (Household with children 0-18 or Senior 60+), Individuals with a disability, Veterans and Active Military members) can sign up to receive a box of shelf stable foods monthly. City Council approved the contract with the CTFB to add 10 lbs. of fresh produce to each box. In June 2,157 Households/6,327 Individuals had food boxes delivered to their doorstep. 5. 2025 – 2029 NSU Strategic Plan Goals - Austin Public Health has its own strategic plan. NSU submits a specific strategic plan/goals for the work supported by CSBG through its Neighborhood Centers to meet Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs expectations (document included in back-up). TDHCA requests documentation of approval of the Strategic Plan by the CSBG Advisory Board (Community Development Commission). 6. CSBG 2022 Community Action Plan (CAP) & Budget - TAC Rule §6.206 (a) In accordance with the CSBG Act each Eligible Entity must submit a Community Action Plan on an annual basis to the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs (TDHCA). The CAP (back-up document) outlines the Services (SRVs), National Performance Indicators (NPIs) that the Neighborhood Services Unit will deliver to address the top 5 needs outlined in the Community Needs Assessment. The CAP plan sets the course for the CSBG Subrecipients’ activities for the upcoming year. The CSBG grant federal pass-through level funding. 3 7. Financial Stability Rental Assistance Funding – From January - June, we have assisted 499 people in 177 households avoid eviction using these funds. The total amount of rent assistance payments was $473,495.60 8. Austin Energy Plus 1 Program – Serious illness, a recent job loss, or the pandemic can make it difficult for some customers to pay their utility bills. The Plus 1 fund helps by providing emergency financial aid to customers who are having a temporary problem paying their utility bills. 9. NSU Public Health Nursing - The Neighborhood Services nurses are offering free health screenings at the Neighborhood Centers. Services included: blood pressure screenings, blood sugar screenings, cholesterol screenings, health education, hemoglobin A1c, pregnancy tests, and general health information & resources. From January – June, 3,873 individuals were served by NSU nursing activities. 10. Self-Sufficiency Case Management Services – The Neighborhood Services Unit social workers help clients reenter the world of work, connecting them with resources, agencies, and training opportunities; including assistance with housing stability, basic needs, and public transportation. In June, there were 7 transitions out of poverty as a result of the NSU’s self-sufficiency case management program. 4